Update 3 for 2:40 p.m.
Kyle Moore with the Seattle Fire Department has released the official SFD account of today's fire.

According to Moore, the fire was first reported around 10:30 a.m. and fire crews arrived to find dark smoke billowing from a kitchen window. They were able to put it out within a few minutes.

The fire was ruled accidental, caused by a hot plate that was left on and ignited consumables on the kitchen counter, Moore said. Total estimated damages are $70,000.

Crews entered the home and found it clear of humans, but found a cat having seizures from smoke inhalation. That cat, identified by homeowner Teri Ensley as Jared, was taken from the home and treated with oxygen using a mask specially designed for animals, Moore said.

Moore said 14 cats in total were inside the home and only one (Pouncer, who you can read about in Update 2) did not survive.

Update 2 for 1 p.m.
The house fire on the 3800 block of 46th Ave S.W. was subdued quickly by a massive Seattle Fire response and no humans were home when it started, but at least one cat lost its life due to smoke inhalation.

The home is owned by West Seattle animal activist Teri Ensley of the Furry Faces Foundation who rushed home after receiving word of the fire. Teri said she had 10 foster cats at the home and firefighters were busy accounting for those that may still be inside around noon on Monday. Responders had to open doors to the basement which may have allowed some of the cats to escape, Ensley said.

Pouncer was the name of Ensley’s 16-year-old feline who lost his life in the fire. She said he showed up on her doorstep 15 years ago.

“I know that Pouncer had a good life in my heart,” Ensley said as she held him in her arms, wrapped in a blanket. “Pouncer was showing his age and he was frail, I know all that but it doesn’t change that I miss him and I love him and he was my friend for fifteen years.”

Firefighters were able to resuscitate an older gray tabby named Jared. He was given oxygen to recover from smoke inhalation and has been taken to the Lien Animal Clinic for further treatment.

Ensley was getting Jared ready for adoption and hopes he will recover and eventually find a new home.

“He went from biting and scratching when you petted him only for about 30 seconds and not wanting to be picked up to now begging to be picked up and being a big love bug and lap boy,” Ensley said. “He is up for adoption assuming he is going to be OK.”

Once Jared and any other cats are ready for adoption, anyone interested can contact Kitty Harbor in West Seattle.

“I don’t really care,” Ensley said of the extensive damage to her home. “I’m sad about Pouncer, but I could have lost all of my animals. That was my only concern, everything else I can replace.”

Preliminary information indicates the fire started in the wall between the kitchen and bathroom and was possibly electrical in nature. We will update with the official determination later on. UPDATE: According to Kyle Moore with the SFD, the fire was caused by a hot plate left on in the kitchen that ignited nearby combustibles.

Delyn Kosbab of Kitty Harbor was bringing crates and traps to Ensley’s home so they can round up any cats that may have ran away.

Ensley was grateful to her neighbors for noticing the fire and calling 911 early on, and said Kosbab will be able to provide her and the cats with shelter.

“My whole thing was my cats and the fosters; that’s all I really care about. It could have been much worse.”

Original post
A fire at 3809 46th s.w. started in a back room and spread quickly but was met with a large response which quickly put out the blaze. The call came in around 10:30 am and 16 units responded.

It's the home of well known West Seattle animal activist Teri Ensley of Furry Faces Foundation who told the Herald that she had 10 foster cats in the basement and that one cat "Bouncer" died. the fire department had resuscitated one of the other cats.

No one was home at the time of the fire. No damage estimate was made available but an investigation is now underway.

"I am so thankful to my neighbors for calling because it could have been much worse," Ensley said.

This story will be updated.